Novak Djokovic reflects on future after French Open loss to Jannik Sinner
Novak Djokovic’s Emotional Farewell at the French Open
Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, may have played his final match at the French Open this weekend. The Serbian tennis pro was hoping to extend his record at Roland Garros with a trip to the men’s singles final, but he suffered a straight-set loss to Jannik Sinner in the semifinals on Friday.
Djokovic, 38, appeared emotional as he collected his bags after the match. He kissed his hand and touched the clay surface at Court Philippe-Chatrier, hinting that it could have been his last appearance at the French Open.
“I mean, this could have been the last match ever I played here, so I don’t know. That’s why I was a bit more emotional even in the end,” Djokovic said. “But if this was the farewell match of the Roland-Garros for me in my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd.”
Of the “Big Three” in men’s tennis, Djokovic is the only one still active and dominant. While he expressed his desire to continue playing, he also acknowledged the uncertainty of his future in the sport.
“Do I wish to play more? Yes, I do. But will I be able to play here in 12 months time? I don’t know,” Djokovic added. “I said it could have been my last match (here). I didn’t say it was.”
Despite the potential end of his French Open journey, Djokovic confirmed his plans to compete at Wimbledon. Last year marked the first time in seven years that he failed to win a Grand Slam title. His last Grand Slam victory came at the 2023 U.S. Open, and his most recent Wimbledon triumph was in 2022.
“I feel like I want to play Wimbledon. I want to play U.S. Open. Those two, for sure. For the rest, I’m not so sure,” Djokovic stated.
As Djokovic contemplates his future in tennis, fans eagerly await his upcoming performances at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. The tennis world will be watching closely to see if the legendary player can add to his impressive list of achievements on the court.
